With inflation at a 40-year high, many people are having to cut back not only on gas, but on groceries as well, and some are having to make tough choices.
Peter Mburu, 34, of Weymouth used to buy two or three large bags of oranges each week. Now, he buys only one because his 2-year-old daughter drinks three gallons of milk per week. And with another child on the way, he and his wife no longer can afford to buy whatever they want as prices continue to creep up.
“We live in an apartment, so it’s a competition with what bills get paid so we can eat,” Mburu said. “It’s hard to get financial liberation so that you can afford a mortgage.”
The Herald did some comparison shopping at one supermarket, and here’s what we found:
“I actually have sat down and redone my budget,” said Adrian Price, 36, of Braintree, who grew up watching “The Price is Right” because he thought it was interesting to gauge the prices of commodities.
To help offset food costs, he has cut Netflix and Spotify and has had to “go lean.”
“The interesting dynamic about food costs is it actually can be cheaper to go out to some place like Domino’s Pizza, compared to coming here and getting raked over the coals,” he said.
“Hopefully, the job market can stay strong,” said Price, who was buying corn on the cob and some hot dogs to grill. “If not, with inflation, I think we’re headed toward another recession.”
Katie Eagan said that before the pandemic, she used to be able to buy 2 pounds of chicken thighs for $3.80; now, she said, they’re $5.66.
“Across the board, food prices have skyrocketed,” said Eagan, 26, of Dorchester. “I’m definitely more cautious about what I’m buying and stretching bills now.”
Cheating Sideropoulos, a nanny shopping with the 2-year-old twins she cares for, said she used to be able to buy a half-gallon of milk for $1.99; now, it’s $3.09.
“I don’t get my huge groceries now,” said Sideropoulos, 51, of Abington. “Now, I just get what’s needed.”
Renee Collins was buying 15 bottles of Gatorade for $22 for her husband. Before the pandemic, that many would cost her $15.
“It definitely has affected our budget,” said Collins, 53, of Braintree. “We buy more store brands and what’s on sale. I used to be able to buy six or seven bags of groceries for $100. Now I come and my husband’s like, ‘What did you get? You have only four bags of groceries for that much?’”
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Consider the effect on restaurants as well. Menu prices are on the rise due to their having to pay more for food along with the increase in fuel costs in getting it to them. Small, local restaurants are really going to be hit hard.
It is part of the Marxist plans small, local restaurants owned by middle class owners that they want to fail and close. Very evil policy.
Aren’t they always the ones hit hardest???
The Treasonous, dishonest, destructive, Socialist Democrat Party’s objective is to lie, cheat and steal in order to take total control of the American people, by restricting U.S. oil production, increase Taxes and the cost of everything and bring American commerce and economy to its knees and to promote Socialism.
Then access power and retain it by any means available –
no matter the costs to the people, the government or the nation.
This treasonous, Hateful, destructive, immoral, socialist Democrat Party and their corrupt, demented puppet president has become our country’s most destructive and deadliest ENEMY!
Slight correction.. THEY HAVE NOT just recently, become our worst enemy, THEY IMO HAVE LONG been our enemy.
For some reason the $6.99 box of instant oatmeal shocked me the most.